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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 

Docket No. 400-16 

OCT 17 2016 

Dear , 

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the 
provisions of IO USC 1552. 

A three-member panel ofthe Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 22 September 2016. Your allegations oferror and injustice were 
reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures applicable to the 
proceedings ofthis Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of your 
application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

A review of your record shows that you entered active service with the Marine Corps in 
September 2005. After serving a deployment in Iraq from August 2007 to March 2008, you 
were hospitalized on two occasions for suicidal ideations including an incident involving a selfinflicted 
gunshot wound. On 18 January 2012, you were determined to be unfit for continued 
naval service by the Physical Evaluation Board for Depressive Disorder and placed on the 
Temporary Disability Retirement List. On 2 February 2015, the Department ofVeterans Affairs 
added Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to your Depressive Disorder diagnosis leading you to file 
for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC). However, on 2 December 2015, your claim 
for CRSC was denied by the CRSC Board. 

The Board carefully considered your arguments that you deserve CRSC for your PTSD 
condition. You assert that you developed PTSD after being exposed to blood and body fluids 
while retrieving material out ofvehicles used in combat operations in Iraq. Unfortunately, the 
Board disagreed with your rationale for relief. In order to qualify for CRSC as a result of armed 
conflict there must be evidence that you incurred your PTSD condition while engaged with a 
"hostile or belligerent nation, faction, forced or terrorists." The Board concluded that, while 
your PTSD was incurred in an area of combat operations, there was insufficient evidence to 
substantiate you were engaged with the enemy when you developed the conditions. The Board 
noted in your application that you claim that you were exposed to "blood and other body fluids" 
while retrieving sensitive materials out of combat vehicles. The Board determined those actions 
did not meet the definition ofarmed conflict. As stated in the CRSC policy guidance, the fact 
you incurred your PTSD "during a period ofwar or an area of armed conflict or while 
participating in combat operations is not sufficient to support a combat-related determination." 

There must definite causal relationship between your PTSD and "armed conflict." Since the 
Board determined you were not involved in armed conflict when you witnessed the events that 
formed the basis for your PTSD, the Bo~dconcluded your PTSD condition does not qualify for 
CRSC. Accordingly, the Board was unable to find an error or injustice warranting a correction 
to your record and denied your application. The names and votes of the members of the panel 
will be furnished upon request. 

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be taken. 
You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission ofnew evidence 
within one year from the date of the Board's decision. New evidence is evidence not previously 
considered by the Board prior to making its decision in this case. In this regard, it is important to 
keep in mind that a presumption ofregularity attaches to all official records. Consequently, 
when applying for a correction of an official naval record, the burden is on the applicant to 
demonstrate the existence ofprobable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 


Executive Director